Pneumatic comb



H. M. GEE.

PNEUMATIC COMB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1920.

Patented @ct. 1?, 1922 1, 31 9&S,

if) 23 /6 d e ca e e Patented Oct. 17, 1922.

@FFHQE.

HELEN M. GEE, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

PNEUMATIC COMB.

Application filed. June 17, 1920.

To all whom it may concern-.- Be it known that I, HELEN M. GEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have, invented a new and useful Pneumatic Comb, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

The object of this invention is the provision of a. hollow, apertured comb, particularly adapted for the purpose of drying hair, and having means whereby it may be connected to receive air under pressure and discharge the same in fine streams over a comparatively large area through a plurality of spaced minute openings. More specifically, it is my object to provide such a comb with a fitting whereby it may be readily connected to the end of the usual attachment hose of a household vacuum cleaner, preferably when used as a blower, in the same manner as are certain of the standard attachments for such cleaners, whereby this readily accessible source of air may be conveniently and efliciently utilized to dry the hair, either of humans or animals.

Another object is to so shape one form of comb embodying my invention that when it is used by women in drying the hair, it may conform somewhat to the shape of the head and fit closely to the scalp, thereby giving a massage effect. It is my further object to provide a modified form resembling somewhat a curry comb, and adapted for use when desired, in rapidly combing and dryin the hair or fur of pet animals.

t-ill another feature of my invention is the provision of the air discharge apertures of the comb, when desired, with a helical surface on the interior wall, whereby the escaping air may be caused to assume a whirling motion, thus increasing its efficiency as a drying agent.

My invention is hereinafter more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its distinctive features are set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a comb shaped somewhat like the human hand, and particularly adapted in use to produce a massage effect, and showing also one form of swivel hose connection; Fig. 2 is a plan thereof, partly in section; Fig. 3 is a modified construction,

Serial No. 389,784.

in side elevation and section, resembling somewhat an ordinary straight frame hair comb; Fig. 4 is a plan thereof, partly in section; Fig. 5 is a perspective of a modified form of the invention, of the currycomb type, Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing an arrangement of teeth and air apertures in such a comb; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged central section through an air dis charge aperture and surrounding wall, showing one form of internal helical surface that may be provided.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown therein an embodiment of the comb proper, somewhat resembling a cupped human hand. The numeral 5 desighates the wrist portion and comprises a tubular shank merging into the palm or hollow flattened portion 6 from which radiate the hollow teeth 8 corresponding to the fingers of the hand. The teeth 8 and portions 7 between them have a plurality of spaced apertures 10 extending in different d rections through their walls, thus providing outwardly opening passageways from the hollow interior over a relatively large area. Air under pressure is admitted to the shank 5 to be distributed in minute widely distributed streams through such apertures.

The shank 5 of the comb is particularly adapted to be connected, preferably through a suitable swivel joint 12, with the free end 14 of the usual length of attachment hose provided for an ordinary household vacuum cleaner (not shown), the hose being connected to the positive pressure or blowing side of the fan in such cleaner, in the manner of other cleaner attachments, and the comb then used as a pneumatic massaging and hair aerating and drying apparatus. To increase the massage eifect of the comb, I

preferably make the portion 6 dish-shaped, and curve the teeth in a similar manner to cause the comb to fit closely and contact evenly with the scalp as it is moved thereover through the hair.

In Figs. 3 and 4I have illustrated a modified type of comb. In this embodiment a portion of the hollow shank 5 remote from its end in conjunction with the air hose, corresponds somewhat to the back of an ordinary comb, and is shown having a row of hollow teeth 15. These teeth have central longitudinal apertures 16 and transverse apertures 17. the latter being shown arranged in rows extending through the teeth in different directions. The portions of the shank 5 between the teeth 15 may also be apertured as at 18. In both this and the embodiment previously described, the teeth are preferably tapered to some extent, and the ends rounded off slightly, to facilitate the movement of the comb through the hair.

further modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In this embodiment the tubular shank 5 terminates in a hollow box-like member 20 having several rows of teeth :22 in one face wall 23. These teeth are preferably relatively short and wedgcshaped. and apertured at 24. Apertures '25 may be provided between the teeth.

In the several embodiments of the invention. the apertures l0, 16. 17, 18, :24 and 25 are shown of varying size, depending somewhat upon their relative location, whereby the rate of discharge of air at different distances from the shank of the comb will be different from what it would be if the openings were of uniform diameter, and by which expedient it may be equalized if desired.

In Fig. T I have illustrated the interior 'all of the apertures provided with a heli- *al surface which may satisfactorily comprise an internal thread 28. lVith such construction. the air will be discharged with a whirling movement. which may be desirable for the purpose of increasing its efficiency as a drying means.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the swivel joint 12 I prefer to use, comprises a sleeve 30 adapted to be closely embraced within the end of the hose ll. The sleeve 30 has an external flange 32 at one end engaged by a second sleeve 34.- having an internal flange 35 adapted to tit rotatably around the sleeve 80. The other end of the sleeve 34 may be internally threaded at 36 to accommodate the threaded end 37 of the shank 5. The outer surface of the sleeve 34 is preferably knurled as at 38.

In making the devices constituting my invention. I prefer to use vulcanized fiber, and employ the process of molding, and there after drill the air discharge openings therein. Any suitable, strong. light material, however, may be used, and treated in any convenient and practical manner, as may be found most desirable.

While I have described several embodiments of my invention, I do not limit myself to such forms of comb as shown, nor to the size, number or arrangement of the air discharge openings.

Having described my invention. I claim:

1. A pneumatic comb, comprising a hollow body having an inlet opening adapted to receive air under pressure, and a dental portion comprising spaced teeth, the axes of which have no common plane, said dental portion having air discharge openings there- 1n.

2. A pneumatic comb adapted to be connected to a source of air under pressure, and comprising a hollow body member having an inlet opening, and a dental portion having spaced outlet openings, the interior walls of said openings being helically grooved.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a hollow shank having a swivel connection at one end with an air supply tube, and a plurality of hollow ape-rtured teeth at the other.

4. A pneumatic comb, comprising a hollow body having an inlet opening for air, and a plurality'of teeth with air discharge openings in and between them.

5. A pneumatic comb adapted to be detachably connected to a source of air under ressure, comprising a hollow body member having a relatively large inlet opening, and a plurality of unequally sized spaced outlet openings in a dental surface.

6. In an attachment for vacuum cleaners, having an air discharge conduit, the combination of a hollow shank adapted to be removably connected withv said conduit, said shank having a plurality of spaced members projecting therefrom, from points in more than one straight line, said spaced. members having air discharge openings between them.

7. A pneumatic comb adapted to be connected to a source of air under pressure, and comprising a hollow body member having a relatively large inlet opening, and a plurality of teeth having spaced outlet openings in and between them, said openings being in ternally threaded.

8. An attachment for vacuum cleaners, having a flexible air tube, comprising a 1101- low shank adapted to be rotatably connected at one end to the end of such tube,.and having at its other end a. plurality of hollow teeth, each tooth having a plurality of minute air discharge apertures extending in different directions, and other discharge apertures between said teeth, said apertures being of non-uniform diameter, and their interior walls having a helically grooved surface.

I In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

HELEN M. GEE. 

